Dr. Koluvail Vyasaraya Ramesh(8 June 1935 – 10 July 2013)[1]was an IndianepigraphistandSanskritscholar who served as the Chief Epigraphist and Joint Director General of theArchaeological Survey of India(ASI).
Dr. Koluvail Vyasaraya Ramesh | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1935 Palakkad,Kerala |
| Died | July 10, 2013(aged 78) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Prema |
Early life and education
editBorn in Palakkad, Kerala on 8 June 1935 into aTulu-speakingMangaloreanfamily, Ramesh obtained a master's degrees in Sanskrit and literature from theUniversity of Madrasand a doctorate from theKarnatak University,Dharwad.
Career at the ASI
editIn 1956, Ramesh joined the Archaeological Survey of India as an epigraphical assistant and was posted toOotacamund.He became the Deputy Superintending Epigraphist of theChennaicircle in 1966, Superintending Epigraphist in 1976 and Chief Epigraphist in 1984. As Superintending epigraphist, Ramesh succeededG. S. Gaias the editor of ASI's bulletinEpigraphia Indicaand edited the last two volumes in 1975-76 and 1977-78.
Ramesh became the Joint Director General of the ASI in May 1992 and served until his retirement in June 1993. Post-retirement, Ramesh served as the Honorary Director of theOriental Research Institute,Mysore from 1998 to 2006.
He was the first one to have deciphered a 12th centurySanskrit inscriptionat theRam Mandirsite inAyodhya,which proved the existence of a temple at the site before theBabri Masjidwas built over it.[2][3][4]
Views on Tamil-Brahmi
editRamesh believed that theTamil-Brahmiscript was pre-Asokanand that it originated as a South Indian script which was later adapted to write anIndo-Iranian language.[5]When pottery bearing Tamil-Brahmi script found atPorunthalwas radiocarbon dated to 490 BC, Ramesh cited the discovery in support of his claim.[5]
Personal life
editDr. K.V. Ramesh married his wife Prema in 1963 and had three daughters. He retired as a Joint Director General of ASI in New Delhi. Throughout Dr. Ramesh's career, he traveled extensively throughout India and around the world to countries in Europe, Asia and the U.S, consulting as an expert epigraphist.
Death
editDr. K.V. Ramesh died at his home inMysoreon 10 July 2013.[6]
Honours
editDr. K.V. Ramesh was fluent in Kannada, Sanskrit, English, Hindi, Tulu, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil. He was awarded the "Karnataka Purathathva Ratna" award in 2010.[7][8]
He published four books in Kannada and nine books in English.
References
edit- ^"Eminent Epigraphist Dr. K.V. Ramesh passes away".Inmysore.Retrieved2 September2013.
- ^Purātattva.Indian Archaological Society. 2003. pp. 98–104.
- ^"Ayodhya case: Archeological proof refers to existence of 12th century temple, Hindu body tells SC".The Times of India.20 August 2019.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved9 December2023.
- ^"Ayodhya hearing: Writings on recovered slab point to Vishnu temple at Babri site, SC told".The Indian Express.21 August 2019.Retrieved9 December2023.
- ^abSubramanian, T. S. (29 August 2011)."Palani excavation triggers fresh debate".The Hindu.
- ^"Eminent Epigraphist DR. K.V. Ramesh passes away".Bangalore First.18 July 2013.Retrieved9 December2023.
- ^"Awards for six archaeologists".The New Indian Express.29 October 2010.Retrieved30 January2019.
- ^"The end of an era in epigraphy".The Hindu.13 July 2013.